A CURE FOR AIDS

Pastor George started a church in the slums of Nairobi. He has buried many AIDS victims. He tells me those who die first are those who lose hope. Judy was left with one son, widowed at 33yrs old. Barely surviving, she lives in the slums of Tunamai and attends the church started by Pasor George at Uzimatele. She is determined to make something of her life...for Jesus sake. Amazingly industrious, she started a recyling project...in the slums. Teenagers gather plastics and sell them in the city. Judy dreams of completing training for social work. With conviction, she shares with confidence that her people can overcome the AIDS pandemic...with education. She will devote her life to teaching prevention to teens first...if only she can afford the training. One widow's success will give hope to others suffering from AIDS.

DICKSON WITH BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL CHANGES LIVES

Habaraki is 10yr old girl at the Buckner day school in the Nairobi slums of Krakocho. She is a beautiful girl in pig tails running and playing with friends at her school. Her parents were Muslim. They died of AIDS a few years ago. Her grandparents were Muslim, living in the slums.

God used our friend Dickson, a Kenyan who works for Buckner International to share the gospel...in deed. When he came to offer schooling and hot meals, her grandparents were overwhelmed with gratitude. Today, her grandparents are Christ followers. You and I can help Dickson rescue children...like Habaraki who remain in the slums. Just $15/mo. for each child will insure that the 250 children in the Buckner day school are fed and educated.

Update from Kenya

Some things never change. I am not able to get to web since Wed AM and NOT able to get wireless modem for daily web access, I will have to rely on cyber cafes, if any in Kisumu. I will try to write every day, at best.

Some things get much better... The time spent living with George at Uzimatelle has been amazing. Eating at his table, ugali, cabage and beef stew with no fork, doing laundry in a bucket, playing until dark with his children (teaching basketball is an evangelistic activity isn't it?) and taking extra time to really know how George and Jackie are doing is worth the trip. It is just incredible how much difference Pastor George is making with his 11 children, widows in the slums, mentoring teenagers, and training pastors.

We are bringing home jewelry made by Judy, widowed and homeless. Rodney is going to buy swahili bibles for 8 widows today. Friends we can join together to sponsor George's children or for a small amount, train 5 widows to make clothing and give them a sewing machine . Others can help provide desks, blackboard and texbooks for pre-school in the slums. Can hardly wait to invite our friends to change the world in Kenya.

Toured Buckner sites with Dickson with Buckner International all day Wednesday. Many opportunities for us to help.

Lunch today with James and Choa Wanje,(Family Life/Kenya) good freinds with insights re: long distance ministry. .

On my way now to meet Pastor Karithi, Karura Chapel (our church in Kenya) to hear his vision for orphan care ministry.

Lewis

POWER OF GOING

Met a young missionary from CA today. He is a 5yr old Christ follower who is on his third 2 month trip to Africa. The light in his eyes, excitement in his voice fueled the fire in mine and Rodney's hearts. He shared about the power of "going". A recent college grad who is enrolled in med school for the fall, our friend traveled to Kenya to serve Africa Inland Mission projects. He journeyed to a small village in northern Kenya to do whatever they needed. What he told us next demonstrates the power of going.

"I came with no real expertise, no medical training," BUT GOD is using him in a big way. Hearing the needs for a community medical center our friend offered to help. Soon he found himself re-designing the building floor plans, making suggestions and offering to raise funds in the states. Then the village chief informed him that gov't assistance was available to pay for 50% of the project budget. He believes God will raise the rest. Our friend is changing the world by simply going in faith.

Learning to embrace Divine Delays

We had borrowed a car from a friend to use while it's owner is overseas. It has been great to use, but often wouldn't start. Well, Sunday when Lewis dropped off Rodney at the airport, the car died for the last time. If Lewis had left as planned, I would have been challenged to know what to do. Lewis determined the problem and it will have to be towed. I am just glad this didn't happen while he was away...

The coolest thing is when Lewis called Monday morning with energy in his voice. "God is amazing" he tells me. "The lap top ordered for the trip arrived and Nick is available this morning to get it running before I leave today." He could now do interview, business and blog in Kenya. I got off the phone and told John it was a miracle to be delayed in order to get the laptop and have Nick available to get it going within hours before departure. Several minutes later, John said, " mom, I know lots of people don't believe God does miracles, but we see Him do miracles a lot." WOW... I love it when God shows Himself in undeniable ways...

Trusting Him,

Melody

Editors note... what was also a "God thing" about this is I got to help Lewis and didn't miss a beat at work. I was able to help him and honor my employer. Nick

DIVINE DELAYS

I missed my flight on Sunday. Forgot to get my passport out of bank safe deposit box on Saturday. Rodney left without me trusting God is in control (trusting God for MY memory is a real act of faith).

Casually checked mail Monday morning and was surprised to find the mini-laptop (2# w/9” screen) ordered for this trip. HP recently gave me the bad news that it was backordered till June 9th. Now I can blog from Kenya. With my Kenya cell phone I can get a wireless laptop connection from anywhere in Kenya. So I give thanks for cool technology (feel like I’m in a James Bond movie) and divine delays.

Getting thru security at LR airport was comical. I have attachments strapped all over my body. Backpack, doc kit attached, waist pack, video camera strapped over shoulder. Checked bags (four packed over 50# limit all for orphan homes) have no room for personal belongings. Rodney and I agreed to stuff one backpack each for our 2 week stay.

Getting thru security started with removing liquids. I filled up two plastic bags with sanitizers, bug sprays, bug wipes, bug cream, shampoo, contact solution…and sunscreen. Next I filled tubs on scanner belt with laptop, shoes, wallet, phone and two bags of liquids. Rushing to gather stuff on other side of scanner…I left my phone.

Fortunately my flight is delayed two hours…enough time to remember my phone.

Another divine delay!

Lewis and Rodney Davidson leave for Kenya Sunday and Monday June 1st and 2nd

…. We hope to post their writings and photos from the field. Please pray for their safety and their meetings with orphan ministry leaders in Kenya.